Black Bear Sightings on The Rise in Ohio

Photo byPete NuijonUnsplash

TOLEDO, OH - Ohio was once home to a thriving population of black bears, but by the mid-1800s, these magnificent creatures had all but disappeared from the state due to unregulated hunting and widespread deforestation.

The last native black bears were extirpated by the 1850s, driven out by the development of farms, towns, and industry. The remaining few were killed to protect livestock and crops.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, however, black bears have slowly begun to make a return. Reports of black bears in Ohio, particularly in south-central and southeastern parts of the state, have persisted over the years.

Notably, in 1973, a sighting of a female bear with cubs was reported, indicating that the species might still have a foothold in Ohio.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the black bear, which can range in color from black to brown, and even cinnamon or blue-black, is the most common bear species in North America.

Adult males typically weigh around 300 pounds and stand five to six feet tall when upright, while females are smaller, averaging 175 pounds and standing four to five feet tall.

Today, black bears are classified as a state endangered species in Ohio. They are primarily found in forested habitats in the eastern half of the state.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife began tracking black bear sightings in 1993, and since then, the number of sightings has been steadily increasing.

In 2022 alone, there were 285 reported sightings across 52 counties, with 161 of those confirmed through evidence such as photos or tracks, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

While black bears can be spotted throughout the year, sightings peak between late May and early July.